Sometimes we’re lucky and we come across a new tool, concept or a change in perspective that changes our lives for the better. Maybe it’s the best travel pillow you’ve ever found (and will never ever travel without with again) or the concept of simplifying your life (#minimalism). Either way, it helps you live with more ease and you’re quality of life is much higher with it. Sometimes, we come across something even bigger than that - it answers something profound + deep within you. Like say some of life’s big questions like “What do I really want in life?”.
That’s what happened for me when my perspective of emotions and feelings was totally shifted. I was reading a book called The Desire Map and in it the author, Danielle LaPorte, proposed that we should allow our feelings to navigate our lives rather than our thinking. Saaaayyyy whhaaaaatt? Radical. My logical, thinking, Type A mind was quick to put its guard up.
“What is this craziness of feelings first? I thought we’ve been working hard to control these feelings so that it doesn’t interfere with our life. To keep it at bay, not let it rule the world.”
That was my lizard brain. My innermost self, however, loved it. The idea felt freeing - like as if I could finally just be me. You see, I had a lot of feelings but didn’t really know what to do with them. They were all scrambled and I felt ashamed to have so many to be honest. But now you’re telling me that they’re the answer to my life? JACKPOT!
In today’s episode, I chat with AnneMarie McKenzie, Master Desire Map Facilitator, about the concept around using our feelings and emotions to find alignment in our lives. Exactly how can we use this as our inner compass? Even if we know how we truly want to feel most of the time (Core Desired Feelngs) what tools/strategies can we implement to make sure that we engage them? Big picture - how can feeling what we desire to feel most of the time lead us to an aligned life?
Okie dokie, plug in those earbuds - this one is full of wisdom nuggets!
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Key Nugget Discussed:
“Would you rather be right or be happy?” - Danielle LaPorte
How feelings & emotions guide our lives:
Feelings are the language of our soul, of the universe – embrace them. Use them as a guidance system for your life. Use them for the choices you make
Is there a difference between feelings and emotions?
All feelings are good - happiness, playfulness, anger, sadness….all of it. They all carry messages for you to learn from
Example of what anger means to you
Core Desired Feelings as your inner guide:
Live from your heart & soul because that’s who you really are. Anything but is just a facade.
Core Desired Feelings are the feelings that we want to feel most of the time - they are the expression of your innermost self. Our home base.
They are different for everyone
You can find your Core Desired Feelings through The Desire Map
Use Core Desired Feelings as a tool just as how you would use your yoga practice. Just as you would return to the mat again and again, come back to your Core Desire Feelings daily. It’s a powerful tool to help you through the throes of life. It’s how AnnMarie got through one of the most important parts of her life
Use your Core Desired Feelings to guide you by asking:
Does this person make you feel the way that you want to feel
Does this situation make you feel the way that you want to feel
Guide relationships – does it feel the way that you want to feel
If it’s not a “hell yes” it’s a “no”
Tools for homing into desired feelings: “I AM” , gratitude , crystals, essential oils, mudras. These can be coupled with other tools that you’ve already collected along the way.
One of Your Biggest Lessons So Far:
“Gratitude is the most powerful tool we have free access to that can shift our perspective and mindset on a cellular level to come back to our soul.”
What is one nugget of wisdom that you would share with fellow seekers who are on this journey of growth and transformation?
“Our feelings are our most untapped, valuable resource. They are the language of the Soul and the language of the Universe. To manifest a handcrafted life we love, we must build a relationship with our feelings. In doing so, this is strength training for our intuition, spiritual fitness, and our feelings end up becoming the compass for our Soul. THAT is when we truly become the creator of our own life.”
Links:
If you have any questions for AnnMarie or want to learn more, connect with her through:
Website: annmariemckenzie.com